What Does the Name Abigail Mean?

The Jewish name Abigail (many pronounce the name A-vi-ga-yil, and in Hebrew it is אביגיל) is comprised of the two Hebrew words “avi” and “gil,” which translate respectively as “father” and “happiness.” Together, it translates as “father of happiness.”

Abigail is a Biblical name. She was one of King David’s wives and was considered a righteous woman. The verse says about her (Samuel I 25:3), “The woman was of good sense and of beautiful form” (for more see David in Exile).

There are many other forms of this name: Avigal, Avigali, Ogla, Igla, Ogle, Igle, Oglin, Ogush and Ogushe.